Elk hunting is an exciting and challenging sport, requiring a great deal of preparation and skill. One of the most important pieces of gear for the successful elk hunter is the right pack. It needs to be the right size and have the right features to make your hunt as comfortable and successful as possible. In this article, we will compare and contrast the features of some of the top backpacks for elk hunting. We’ll look at their capacity, features, comfort, durability, and cost to help you determine which pack is the best fit for you. With the right pack, you can make the most of your elk hunting experience and come home with the trophy you’ve been dreaming of.
Your pack must be up to snuff to make sure your trip is enjoyable and successful.
We’ve cut through the noise and boiled down what you need to look for in your pack to a couple of the most essential considerations:
Main Use/Function: Do you hunt elk during the day and return to a camp at night? You’ll likely need to opt for a lighter daypack since you’ll be carrying less meat in the end and you want to be as comfortable as possible.
Do you disappear into the backcountry for days at a time? You’ll certainly need a bigger, fully featured bivy pack. For a frame of reference, if you’re looking for versatile daypacks that can pull double duty on lightweight overnight jaunts, somewhere between 1,800 and 2,200 cubic inches will probably get the job done.
Fit: It may not seem important at first, but over the course of long trips, your back and shoulders will pay for an improper fit. Your hips should bear the brunt of the load, the chest strap should fasten right over your chest, and the belt should fit snugly around the lower part of your waistline.
Though there are other considerations to take into account, function and fit should trump all in your search for a pack. With that in mind, we’ll explore some of the best elk hunting packs of the last few years.
- The Team Elk Pack is unlike any other backpack on the market. It has unique features like the patented rifle-back scabbard, a comfortable aluminum frame meant to carry heavy loads and a meat carrying...
- The pack includes a spacious floating lid, deep side pockets, and stretch-material pockets throughout the exterior of the pack. On the interior of the pack you will find stretch pockets and a...
- The Team Elk pack was originally developed to provide backcountry elk hunters with the best and most innovative hunting pack available, and to simultaneously contribute funding to the most proactive...
- Technical Specs: 27”H x 13.5”W x 8.5”D, 6.5 lbs. Volume: Bag (2175 c.i.), Lid (392 c.i.)
- 【Large Capacity】Specs (Dimensions) are 31.5” x 21.7” x 11.8”, the main compartment with high quality strapping system features a two-in-one carrier for your bow or rifle. The large main...
- 【Ergonomic Design & Comfortable】TideWe Large pack is designed with adjustable shoulder straps and frame, customizing your personal size. The ergonomic design with soft and breathable padding...
- 【Hunting Conducive】TideWe hunting backpack is made of noise free next camo g2 fabric. The reinforced Hypalon is used at the frame connection part to reduce collision noise. The next camo g2...
- 【Trusted Quality】High performance next camo g2 fabric, long-lasting buckle and exquisite stitching delivers the TideWe external frame hunting back incredible durability.
- 【User-friendly Design】TideWe is committed to your ultimate hunting experience by unique design. The zippered quick access design helps you take out gears from the big bag conveniently and easily....
- Durable, water-resistant Ripstop fabric withstands heavy use and harsh hunting environments. Top loading, spindrift collar with draw cord secures main compartment.
- Organize your gear in one of many pockets: main pocket, side spotting scope pocket, two hinged side accessory pockets, front pockets and waist belt pouches
- Detach pack bag and use the frame to haul out meat with a unique, secure lashing system; Anodized cotter and clevis pin design for easy adjustability
- Hydration compatible, lower door access for main pocket, drop-down rifle holder pocket, webbing loops for lashing
- Total Weight: 7 lbs. 15 oz.; Pack Bag Weight: 2 lbs. 8 oz.; Capacity: 5250 in³/86 L; Torso Range: 17” – 23”; Waist Belt Range: 33” – 60”
- Dual aluminum stays with channeled high-density ABS frame
- Frame features shelf and compressed wing-style pockets, allowing you to haul small and large loads
- heavy-duty fabrics used throughout for unmatched strength paired with Lycra shoulder straps for added comfort
- Fully equipped with rifle and bow drop-down, rain cover, anti-sway straps, clip-style holster accommodation and H2O pocket/port
- Total Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz., Pack Weight: 2 lbs., Frame Weight: 4 lbs. 12 oz., Capacity: 45L/2750 in³
- 👍STORAGE MEAT IN CLEAN SPACE: Specifically designed for elk, caribou, deer, and other game, GearOZ game bags effectively shield your meat from dirt, debris, etc, ensuring its quality and freshness....
- 🥇NO MORE WORRY OF SPOILAGE: designed with breathability, GearOZ game meat bags allows your harvested meat to cool down while retaining its moisture. This helps to minimize the risk of meat drying...
- ⭐EASY TO FIND: The reflective strip enhances visibility in low light conditions. This feature makes it easier for you to locate your game bag even in the dark by simply using a flashlight. The...
- 🤩WASHABLE & REUSABLE: crafted using high-quality, tightly knitted pure cotton fabric, GearOZ hunting game bags ensures durability and longevity, allowing the bags to withstand the rigors of hunting...
- 🦌5-PACK: Including 4 pieces of 12*48-Inch bags, which are ideal for storing larger game meat such as elk, caribou, or deer. And 1 piece of 12*28-Inch bag specifically designed for storing livers or...
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with any of these hunting products.
Even if you don’t find your dream pack among the options here, hopefully, this article served as a jumping off point and an introduction (or a refresher) of some good sources for elk hunting season. We hope you found the perfect elk hunting pack and good luck on your elk hunt!
Elk hunting is amazing. But if you are looking for something less grandiose that you can enjoy with the kids, we’ve got a guide on quail hunting with kids. Take a look.
1 comment
I just recently used many of these in my recent elk hunt in Montana. I love the frame fit of the Elberlestock packs but the weight of the empty pack makes for a day pack that is like carry a thru-hike long haul load. I am also not so sure the weight distribution would work well once you start loading elk sized quarters on it.
The Tenzing packs… Let me say all flash no delivery. Don’t like. Strictly for day hunting (no pack out) they are ok. Reality these days is that all elk hunts are going to result in some pack out.
I settle for now on Seek Outside packs. I have 2 frames (in their breakaway series) and 4 bags. For versatility I LOVE the Saker 7400. It is my 1 go-to pack. I can go from a 1200 – 7400 cu in pack in increments of 1200/2400/5300/7400. For one pack I can cover day jaunts to 5+ day trips. The pack is light. It is 4ish pounds empty. Seek Outside packs are already water resistant so you don’t have to take a rain fly. Another good one would be the Peregrine.
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